Jim and Jack and Hank

Album: Angels and Alcohol (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This uptempo tune gives a humorous twist on a breakup. Jackson wrote the track solo, one of seven songs that he penned for Angels and Alcohol. "When I got started on Music Row, I would write with different writers," he told Billboard magazine. "Then, once my career took off, I was gone all the time - playing a couple hundred shows a year. You weren't home long enough to wash your clothes. I ended up writing a lot by myself, and it just kind of stayed that way."
  • Alan Jackson explained the song's meaning: "It's a fun little up-tempo tune about the same ole story," he said. "Girl leaves guy and this time he's not going to be heartbroken. He says, 'Just go out the door and take all your junk and everything. I don't need anything. I got all I need. I got my friends - Jim, Jack and Hank - Jim Beam, Jack Daniel's and Hank Williams, Sr. or Jr. or both."
  • Asked about his favorite between friends Jim and Jack, Jackson replied: "I've had them all, but I've always kind of stood by Jack Daniel's."

    He added wryly smiling, "He's helped me through a lot of good and bad times. Helped me write a lot of songs. So he's a good friend."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.